Abstract
Gerona, a small Catalonian town, was prominent in the religious history of the Jews in Spain. The second half of the
thirteenth century – when figures like Jonah Gerondi and Moses ben Nahman (Nahmanides) were active there – was of particular
importance. Gerona’s location between Provence and Spain made it a cultural bridge and a blending of the two regions. Gerona, with
its Kabbalistic circle, was a firm anti-rationalist center. The piety characterizing this community continued as late as the end of the
fourteenth century when its leaders died as martyrs in the persecutions of 1391. In contrast to many other communities, they did not
convert to Christianity.
thirteenth century – when figures like Jonah Gerondi and Moses ben Nahman (Nahmanides) were active there – was of particular
importance. Gerona’s location between Provence and Spain made it a cultural bridge and a blending of the two regions. Gerona, with
its Kabbalistic circle, was a firm anti-rationalist center. The piety characterizing this community continued as late as the end of the
fourteenth century when its leaders died as martyrs in the persecutions of 1391. In contrast to many other communities, they did not
convert to Christianity.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 161-166 |
| Journal | Materia giudaica : rivista dell'associazione italiana per lo studio del giudaismo |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| State | Published - 2001 |